Encoded information reading terminal with replaceable imaging assembly

ABSTRACT

An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal can comprise a microprocessor communicatively coupled to a system bus, a memory, a communication interface, and a pluggable imaging assembly identified by a type identifier and configured to acquire an image comprising decodable indicia. The imaging assembly can comprise a two-dimensional image sensor configured to output an analog signal representative of the light reflected by an object located within the field of view of the imaging assembly. The EIR terminal can be configured to output, by processing the analog signal, the raw image data derived from the analog signal and/or a decoded message corresponding to the decodable indicia. The imaging assembly can be communicatively coupled to the system bus via an imaging assembly interface comprising a plurality of wires and a multi-pin connector. The imaging assembly interface can comprise one or more wires configured to carry the imaging assembly type identifier. The EIR terminal can be configured, responsive to receiving the type identifier via the one or more wires, to retrieve from the memory one or more imaging assembly configuration information items corresponding to the type identifier and/or to receive via the communication interface one or more imaging assembly configuration information items corresponding to the type identifier. The EIR terminal can be further configured to control the imaging assembly using the imaging assembly configuration information items.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 14/396,463 for an Encoded Information Reading Terminal withReplaceable Imaging Assembly filed Oct. 23, 2014 (and published May 21,2015 as U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0136854), now U.S.Pat. No. 9,098,763, which claims the benefit of InternationalApplication No. PCT/CN2012/075164 for an Encoded Information ReadingTerminal with Replaceable Imaging Assembly filed May 8, 2012 (andpublished Nov. 14, 2013 as International Publication No. WO2013/166647). Each of the foregoing patent applications, patentpublications, and patent is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to encoded information reading (EIR)terminals and, more specifically, to EIR terminals comprising atwo-dimensional image sensor.

BACKGROUND

The use of decodable indicia, such as bar code symbols, for product andarticle identification is well known in the art. Presently, varioustypes of encoded information reading (EIR) terminals have beendeveloped, such as hand-held bar code scanners, hands-free scanners,bi-optic in-counter scanners, and mobile computers such as personaldigital assistants (PDAs). EIR terminals typically utilize a lens tofocus the image of the decodable indicia, such as a bar code, onto amultiple pixel image sensor, which is often provided by a complementarymetal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensor that converts lightsignals into electric signals.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, there is provided an EIR terminal comprising amicroprocessor communicatively coupled to a system bus, a memory, acommunication interface, and a pluggable imaging assembly identified bya type identifier and configured to acquire an image comprisingdecodable indicia. The imaging assembly can comprise a two-dimensionalimage sensor configured to output an analog signal representative of thelight reflected by an object located within the field of view of theimaging assembly. The EIR terminal can be configured to output, byprocessing the analog signal, the raw image data derived from the analogsignal and/or a decoded message corresponding to the decodable indicia.The imaging assembly can be communicatively coupled to the system busvia an imaging assembly interface comprising a plurality of wires and amulti-pin connector. The imaging assembly interface can comprise one ormore wires configured to carry the imaging assembly type identifier. TheEIR terminal can be configured, responsive to receiving the typeidentifier via the one or more wires, to retrieve from the memory one ormore imaging assembly configuration information items corresponding tothe type identifier and/or to receive via the communication interfaceone or more imaging assembly configuration information itemscorresponding to the type identifier. The EIR terminal can be furtherconfigured to control the imaging assembly using the imaging assemblyconfiguration information items.

In a further aspect, the decoded message can comprise one or moreprintable characters and/or one or more non-printable characters.

In a further aspect, the imaging assembly can further comprise ananalog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convert the analogsignal into a digital signal, an amplifier configured to output anamplified analog signal by amplifying an analog signal read out of theimage sensor, and a control circuit configured to control the imagingassembly.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can be further configured toreceive the type identifier via the one or more wires responsive todetecting a power up event or an imaging assembly connection event.

In a further aspect, one or more wires configured to carry the typeidentifier can be provided by an I2C interface.

In a further aspect, the imaging assembly configuration items can apower-up sequence of the two-dimensional image sensor, a format of dataoutputted by the two-dimensional image sensor, a number of pixelscomprised by the two-dimensional image sensor, an exposure mode of thetwo-dimensional image sensor, and/or configurations of one or morecontrol registers of the two-dimensional image sensor.

In a further aspect, the memory can be provided by at least one of: avolatile memory, a non-volatile memory.

In a further aspect, the communication interface can be provided by awired communication interface or a wireless communication interface.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can be further configured to storeone or more imaging assembly configuration items in a memory filecomprising one or more records, each record comprising an image sensortype, at least one parameter identifier, and at least one parametervalue.

In another embodiment, there is provided a method of controlling animaging assembly by an EIR terminal comprising a microprocessor, amemory, a communication interface, and a pluggable imaging assemblycommunicatively coupled to the system bus via an imaging assemblyinterface comprising a plurality of wires and a multi-pin connector. Themethod can comprise the step of, responsive to detecting a power upevent or an imaging assembly connection event, receiving the typeidentifier via the imaging assembly interface. The method can furthercomprise the step of receiving one or more imaging assemblyconfiguration information items corresponding to the type identifier. Inone embodiment, the EIR terminal can retrieve the imaging assemblyconfiguration information items from the memory of the EIR terminal.Alternatively, the EIR terminal can transmit a request comprising thetype identifier to an external computer and receive the imaging assemblyconfiguration information items from the external computer. The methodcan further comprise the step of controlling the imaging assembly usingthe imaging assembly configuration information items. The method canfurther comprise the step of, responsive to receiving an analog signaloutputted by the imaging assembly, converting the analog signal into adigital signal. The method can further comprise the step of outputting,by processing the digital signal, the raw image data derived from theanalog signal and/or a decoded message corresponding to the decodableindicia.

In a further aspect, the method can further comprise the step of storingone or more imaging assembly configuration items in a memory filecomprising one or more records, each record comprising an image sensortype, at least one parameter identifier, and at least one parametervalue.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features described herein can be better understood with reference tothe drawings described below. The drawings are not necessarily to scale,emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principlesof the invention. In the drawings, like numerals are used to indicatelike parts throughout the various views.

FIGS. 1a-1c schematically illustrate one embodiment of the EIR terminaldescribed herein;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a component diagram of one embodimentof the EIR terminal described herein;

FIGS. 3a-3b schematically illustrate data structures for storing andretrieving imaging assembly configuration information for the EIRterminal described herein;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a network diagram of one embodiment ofa data collection system employing EIR terminals described herein;

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of one embodiment of a method of controllinga pluggable imaging assembly by the EIR terminal described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, there is provided an encoded information reading(EIR) terminal that can be used, for example, for bar code reading anddecoding in point-of-sale (POS) and other applications. A skilledartisan would appreciate the fact that other uses of EIR terminal arewithin the scope of this disclosure.

A product bearing decodable indicia can be scanned by the EIR terminal.As used herein, “decodable indicia” is intended to denote an encodedrepresentation, such as the representation in a bar code symbology, of amessage string comprising alphanumeric and non-alphanumeric characters.Decodable indicia can be used to convey information, such as theidentification of the source and the model of a product, for example ina UPC bar code that can comprises six, eight, twelve, or thirteenencoded symbol characters representing numerical digits. The EIRterminal disclosed herein can be employed to acquire and decode imagesof decodable indicia. The EIR terminal can be configured to output rawimage data containing decodable indicia and/or a decoded messagecorresponding to the decodable indicia.

Of course, devices that read bar codes, read RFID, or read cards bearingencoded information may read more than one of these categories whileremaining within the scope of this disclosure. For example, a devicethat reads bar codes may include a card reader, and/or RFID reader; adevice that reads RFID may also be able to read bar codes and/or cards;and a device that reads cards may be able to also read bar codes and/orRFID. For further clarity, it is not necessary that a device's primaryfunction involve any of these functions in order to be considered such adevice; for example, a cellular telephone, smartphone, or PDA that iscapable of reading bar codes is an EIR terminal for purposes of thisdisclosure.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can comprise an imaging assembly.The imaging assembly can in turn comprise a two-dimensional image sensorconfigured to output an analog signal representative of the lightreflected by the physical object located within the field of view of theimaging assembly (e.g., a retail item bearing a bar code label). Theimaging assembly can further comprise an amplifier configured to amplifythe analog signal read out of the image sensor. The imaging assembly canfurther comprise an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured toconvert the amplified analog signal into a digital signal. The imagingassembly can further comprise a control circuit configured to controlthe imaging assembly by varying the image sensor exposure period, theamplifier gain, and/or other imaging assembly parameters.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can comprise a microprocessorprogrammed to process the digital signals outputted by the A/Dconverter. The microprocessor can be further programmed to output rawimage data derived from the digital signal or a decoded messagecorresponding to the decodable indicia contained within the acquiredimage.

Due to operational requirements, the EIR terminal may need to supportseveral types of replaceable two-dimensional image sensors. Tofacilitate image sensor replacement, the imaging assembly can be madepluggable, i.e., can be communicatively coupled to the system bus of theEIR terminal over an imaging assembly interface comprising a multi-pinelectromechanical connector.

In a further aspect, the imaging assembly can be identified by a typeidentifier which can be stored by the imaging assembly in a non-volatilememory accessible over the imaging assembly interface.

In operation, the EIR terminal can, responsive to being reset orpowered-up, receive the imaging assembly type identifier over theimaging assembly interface. The EIR terminal can then retrieve from itsmemory or receive from an external computer the imaging assemblyconfiguration information which can be used to control the imagingassembly.

One embodiment of EIR terminal 100 is shown in FIGS. 1a (front panelview), 1 b (side panel view), and 1 c (bottom panel view). EIR terminal100 can comprise housing 52 within which other components of EIRterminal 100 can be disposed. LCD screen display with touch screensensor 54 can be disposed on the front panel 56. Also disposed on frontpanel 56 can be decode LED 58, scan led 62, and keyboard 64 includingscan key 68 and navigation keys 72. Imaging window 74 can be disposed onthe top panel of housing 52. Disposed on the side panel (best viewed inFIG. 1b ) can be infra-red communication port 76, access door to asecure digital (SD) memory interface 78, audio jack 80, and hand strap82. Disposed on the bottom panel (best viewed in FIG. 1c ) can bemulti-pin mechanical connector 84 and hand strap clip 86.

While FIGS. 1a-1c illustrate a hand held housing, a skilled artisanwould appreciate the fact that other types and form factors of terminalhousings are within the scope of this disclosure.

Referring now to FIG. 2, described is a component diagram of the indiciareading terminal 100. Terminal 100 can comprise an imaging assembly 116including an image sensor 102, such as a CCD image sensor or a CMOSimage sensor. Image sensor 102 can in turn comprise a multiple pixelimage sensor array 104 having pixels arranged in rows and columns ofpixels, column circuitry 106, and row circuitry 108. Associated with theimage sensor 102 can be amplifier circuitry 110, and an A/D converter112 which can convert image information in the form of analog signalsread out of multiple pixel image sensor array 104 into the imageinformation in the form of digital signals. Image sensor 102 can alsohave an associated timing and control circuit 114 for use incontrolling, e.g., the exposure period of image sensor 102, and/or gainapplied to the amplifier 110. The noted circuit components 102, 110,112, and 114 can be packaged into a common imaging assembly integratedcircuit 116.

In the course of operation of the EIR terminal 100, analog signals canbe read out of image sensor 102, converted into a digital form, andstored into a system memory such as RAM 120. A memory 122 of EIRterminal 100 can include RAM 120, a nonvolatile memory such as EPROM124, and a storage memory device 126 such as may be provided by a flashmemory or a hard drive memory. In one embodiment, EIR terminal 100 caninclude microprocessor 118 which can be adapted to read out image datastored in memory 122 and subject such image data to various imageprocessing algorithms. In a further aspect, microprocessor 118 can beconfigured to process the image data stored in memory 122 and to outputthe raw image data and/or to locate decodable indicia within the imageand to output a decoded message corresponding to the decodable indicia.

In a further aspect, EIR terminal 100 can include a direct memory accessunit (DMA) 128 for routing image information read out from image sensor102 that has been subject to conversion to RAM 120. In anotherembodiment, EIR terminal 100 can employ a system bus providing for busarbitration mechanism (e.g., a PCI bus) thus eliminating the need for acentral DMA controller. A skilled artisan would appreciate that otherembodiments of the system bus architecture and/or direct memory accesscomponents providing for efficient data transfer between the imagesensor 102 and RAM 120 are within the scope of this disclosure.

In another aspect, EIR terminal 100 can include an imaging lens assembly130 for focusing an image of the decodable indicia 30 onto image sensor102. Imaging light rays can be transmitted about an optical axis 132.Lens assembly 130 can be controlled with use of lens assembly controlcircuit 144. Lens assembly control circuit 144 can send signals to lensassembly 130, e.g., for changing a focal length and/or a best focusdistance of lens assembly 130.

EIR terminal 100 can include various interface circuits for couplingseveral of the peripheral devices to system address/data bus (systembus) 158. EIR terminal 100 can include interface circuit 160 forcoupling image sensor timing and control circuit timing and controlcircuit 144 to system bus 158, interface circuit 162 for coupling thelens assembly control circuit 144 to system bus 158, interface circuit164 for coupling the illumination assembly control circuit 146 to systembus 158, interface circuit 166 for coupling the display 150 to systembus 158, interface circuit 168 for coupling keyboard 152, pointingdevice 154, and trigger 156 to system bus 158, and interface circuit 170for coupling the filter module control circuit 148 to system bus 158.

In a further aspect, EIR terminal 100 can include one or more I/Ointerfaces 172, 174 for providing communication with external devices(e.g., a POS cash register computer, a retail store server, an inventoryfacility server, a local area network base station, or a cellular basestation). I/O interfaces 172, 174 can be interfaces of any combinationof known computer interfaces, e.g., Ethernet (IEEE 802.3), USB, IEEE802.11, Bluetooth, CDMA, and GSM.

As noted herein supra, EIR terminal 100 can be adapted to supportseveral types of pluggable imaging assemblies. To facilitate imagingassembly replacement, the imaging assembly can be communicativelycoupled to the system bus of the EIR terminal over the imaging assemblyinterface comprising a multi-pin electromechanical connector. Theimaging assembly can be identified by a type identifier which can bestored by the imaging assembly in a non-volatile memory 115 accessibleover the imaging assembly interface.

In a further aspect, the imaging assembly interface can comprise one ormore wires configured to carry digital signals outputted by A/Dconverter 112. The imaging assembly interface can further comprise oneor more wires configured to carry digital signals to and from timing andcontrol circuit 114. The imaging assembly interface can further compriseone or more wires configured to carry imaging assembly type informationstored in memory 115. In one embodiment, the imaging assembly typeinformation can be carried over an I2C interface communicatively coupledto system bus 158 via an I2C interface controller (not shown in FIG. 2).

As noted herein supra, in operation, EIR terminal 1000 can, responsiveto being reset or powered-up, receive the imaging assembly type over theimaging assembly interface. The EIR terminal can then retrieve from itsmemory or receive from an external computer imaging assemblyconfiguration information corresponding to the imaging assembly typeidentifier. The imaging assembly configuration information can then beused to control the imaging assembly in the course of operation of EIRterminal 100.

In a further aspect, the imaging assembly configuration information caninclude, for example, a power-up sequence of the two-dimensional imagesensor; a format of data outputted by the two-dimensional image sensor(e.g., raw image, JPEG, YUV422, etc.); the pixel resolution of thetwo-dimensional image sensor (e.g., 640×480, 1024×768); the exposuremode of the two-dimensional image sensor (e.g., rolling shutter orglobal shutter); configurations of one or more control registers of thetwo-dimensional image sensor (e.g., exposure control register, gaincontrol register, etc.)

In one embodiment, the image assembly configuration information can bestored in a look-up table comprising a plurality of records. Each recordcan comprise an image sensor type identifier, at least one parameteridentifier, and at least one parameter value, as schematically shown inFIG. 3a . In a further aspect, each record identified by the imagesensor type identifier can comprise a sequence of <name=value> pairs,wherein name represents a parameter name and value represents one ormore parameter values. In another embodiment, the image assemblyparameters can be stored in an XML file comprising parameter names andvalues; and example of an XML file is shown in FIG. 3 b.

In a further aspect, the look-up table and the XML file can be stored ina volatile or non-volatile memory of the EIR terminal 100. A skilledartisan would appreciate the fact that other methods of storing imagingassembly configuration information are within the scope of thedisclosure.

In a further aspect, the EIR terminal can be incorporated in a datacollection system. One embodiment of the data collection system,schematically shown in FIG. 4, can include a plurality of EIR terminals100 a-100 z in communication with a plurality of interconnected networks110 a-110 z.

An EIR terminal 100 a-100 z can establish a communication session withan external computer 171. In one embodiment, network frames can beexchanged by the EIR terminal 100 and the external computer 171 via oneor more routers 140, access points 135, and other infrastructureelements. In another embodiment, the external computer 171 can bereachable by the EIR terminal 100 via a local area network (LAN). In ayet another embodiment, the external computer 171 can be reachable bythe EIR terminal 100 via a wide area network (WAN). In a yet anotherembodiment, the external computer 171 can be reachable by the EIRterminal 100 directly (e.g., via a wired or wireless interface). Askilled artisan would appreciate the fact that other methods ofproviding interconnectivity between the EIR terminal 100 and theexternal computer 171 relying upon LANs, WANs, virtual private networks(VPNs), and/or other types of network are within the scope of thisdisclosure.

A “computer” herein shall refer to a programmable device for dataprocessing and control, including a central processing unit (CPU), amemory, and at least one communication interface. For example, in oneembodiment, a computer can be provided by a server running a singleinstance of a multi-tasking operating system. In another embodiment, acomputer can be provided by a virtual server, i.e., an isolated instanceof a guest operating system running within a host operating system. A“network” herein shall refer to a set of hardware and softwarecomponents implementing a plurality of communication channels betweentwo or more computers. A network can be provided, e.g., by a local areanetwork (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). While different networkscan be designated herein, it is recognized that a single network as seenfrom the application layer interface to the network layer of the OSImodel can comprise a plurality of lower layer networks, i.e., what canbe regarded as a single Internet Protocol (IP) network, can include aplurality of different physical networks.

The communications between the EIR terminal 100 and the externalcomputer 171 can comprise a series of requests and responses transmittedover one or more TCP connections. A skilled artisan would appreciate thefact that using various transport and application level protocols iswithin the scope and the spirit of the invention.

At least one of the messages transmitted by EIR terminal 100 can includethe imaging assembly type identifier. For example, EIR terminal 100 cantransmit a request to the external computer to retrieve imaging assemblyconfiguration information corresponding to the imaging assembly typeidentifier identifying the imaging assembly currently plugged into EIRterminal 100.

One embodiment of a method of controlling a pluggable imaging assemblyby EIR terminal 100 is now being described with references to FIG. 5.

Responsive to detecting, within the event processing loop 4010-4040, apower-up event or an imaging assembly connection event, EIR terminal 100can, at step 4050, receive imaging assembly type identifier over theimaging assembly interface as described in details herein supra.

At step 4060, EIR terminal 100 can retrieve the imaging assemblyconfiguration information corresponding to the imaging assembly typeidentifier. In one embodiment, EIR terminal 100 can retrieve the imagingassembly configuration information from the memory of EIR terminal 100.Alternatively, EIR terminal 100 can transmit to an external computer arequest comprising the imaging assembly type identifier, and receive theimaging assembly configuration information from the external computer.

At step 4070, EIR terminal 100 can control the imaging assembly usingthe received configuration information.

Responsive to detecting, within the user interface input loop 4080-4100,an acquire image user interface command, EIR terminal 100 can, at step4100, acquire an image comprising decodable indicia using the imagingassembly.

At step 4420, EIR terminal 100 can output raw image data and/or decodedmessage corresponding to the decodable indicia.

Upon completing step 4420, the method can loop back to the eventprocessing loop 4010-4040.

While the present invention has been described with reference to anumber of specific embodiments, it will be understood that the truespirit and scope of the invention should be determined only with respectto claims that can be supported by the present specification. Further,while in numerous cases herein wherein systems and apparatuses andmethods are described as having a certain number of elements it will beunderstood that such systems, apparatuses and methods can be practicedwith fewer than the mentioned certain number of elements. Also, while anumber of particular embodiments have been described, it will beunderstood that features and aspects that have been described withreference to each particular embodiment can be used with each remainingparticularly described embodiment.

A sample of systems and methods that are described herein follows:

A1. An encoded information reading (EIR) terminal comprising:

a microprocessor communicatively coupled to a system bus;

a memory;

a communication interface;

a pluggable imaging assembly identified by a type identifier andconfigured to acquire an image comprising decodable indicia, saidimaging assembly comprising a two-dimensional image sensor configured tooutput an analog signal representative of light reflected by an objectlocated within a field of view of said imaging assembly;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured to output, by processing saidanalog signal, at least one of: raw image data derived from said analogsignal, a decoded message corresponding to said decodable indicia;

wherein said imaging assembly is communicatively coupled to said systembus via an imaging assembly interface comprising a plurality of wiresand a multi-pin connector;

wherein said imaging assembly interface comprises one or more wiresconfigured to carry said type identifier;

wherein said EIR terminal is configured, responsive to receiving saidtype identifier via said one or more wires, to perform at least one of:retrieving from said memory one or more imaging assembly configurationinformation items corresponding to said type identifier, receiving viasaid communication interface one or more imaging assembly configurationinformation items corresponding to said type identifier; and

wherein said EIR terminal is further configured to control said imagingassembly using said one or more imaging assembly configurationinformation items.

A2. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said decoded message comprises atleast one of: one or more printable characters, one or morenon-printable characters.

A3. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said imaging assembly furthercomprises an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convertsaid analog signal into a digital signal, an amplifier configured tooutput an amplified analog signal by amplifying an analog signal readout of said image sensor, and a control circuit configured to controlsaid imaging assembly.

A4. The EIR terminal of (A1), further configured to receive said typeidentifier via said one or more wires responsive to detecting one of: apower up event, an imaging assembly connection event.

A5. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said one or more wires configuredto carry said type identifier are provided by an i2c interface.

A6. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said imaging assemblyconfiguration items comprise at least one of: a power-up sequence ofsaid two-dimensional image sensor, a format of data outputted by saidtwo-dimensional image sensor, a number of pixels comprised by saidtwo-dimensional image sensor, an exposure mode of said two-dimensionalimage sensor, configurations of one or more control registers of saidtwo-dimensional image sensor.

A7. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said memory is provided by atleast one of: a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory.

A8. The EIR terminal of (A1), wherein said communication interface isprovided by one of: a wired communication interface, a wirelesscommunication interface.

A9. The EIR terminal of (A1), further configured to store said one ormore imaging assembly configuration items in a memory file comprisingone or more records, each record comprising an image sensor type, atleast one parameter identifier, and at least one parameter value.

B1. A method of controlling an imaging assembly by an EIR terminalcomprising a microprocessor, a memory, a communication interface, and apluggable imaging assembly communicatively coupled to said system busvia an imaging assembly interface comprising a plurality of wires and amulti-pin connector, said imaging assembly comprising a two-dimensionalimage sensor, said imaging assembly identified by a type identifier andconfigured to acquire an image comprising decodable indicia, said methodcomprising the steps of:

responsive to one of a power up event and an imaging assembly connectionevent, receiving said type identifier via said imaging assemblyinterface;

performing at least one of: retrieving from said memory one or moreimaging assembly configuration information items corresponding to saidtype identifier, receiving via said communication interface one or moreimaging assembly configuration information items corresponding to saidtype identifier;

controlling said imaging assembly using said one or more imagingassembly configuration information items;

responsive to receiving an analog signal outputted by said imagingassembly, converting said analog signal into a digital signal;

outputting, by processing said digital signal, at least one of: rawimage data derived from said analog signal, a decoded messagecorresponding to said decodable indicia.

B2. The EIR method of (B1), wherein said decoded message comprises atleast one of: one or more printable characters, one or morenon-printable characters.

B3. The EIR method of (B1), wherein said imaging assembly furthercomprises an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter configured to convertsaid analog signal into a digital signal, an amplifier configured tooutput an amplified analog signal by amplifying an analog signal readout of said image sensor, and a control circuit configured to controlsaid imaging assembly.

B4. The EIR method of (B1), wherein said imaging assembly configurationitems comprise at least one of: a power-up sequence of saidtwo-dimensional image sensor, a format of data outputted by saidtwo-dimensional image sensor, a number of pixels comprised by saidtwo-dimensional image sensor, an exposure mode of said two-dimensionalimage sensor, configurations of one or more control registers of saidtwo-dimensional image sensor.

B5. The EIR method of (B1), wherein said memory is provided by at leastone of: a volatile memory, a non-volatile memory.

B6. The EIR method of (B1), wherein said communication interface isprovided by one of: a wired communication interface, a wirelesscommunication interface.

B7. The EIR method of (B1), further comprising the step of storing saidone or more imaging assembly configuration items in a memory filecomprising one or more records, each record comprising an image sensortype, at least one parameter identifier, and at least one parametervalue.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An encoded information reading (EIR)terminal comprising: a microprocessor communicatively coupled to asystem bus; a memory; a communication interface; a pluggable imagingassembly identified by a type identifier, configured to acquire an imagecomprising decodable indicia, and comprising an image sensor configuredto output a signal representative of light reflected by an objectlocated within a field of view of the imaging assembly; wherein the EIRterminal is configured to: output, by processing the signal, raw imagedata derived from the signal and/or a decoded message corresponding to adecodable indicia; responsive to receiving the type identifier, retrievefrom the memory one or more imaging assembly configuration informationitems corresponding to the type identifier and/or receive via thecommunication interface one or more imaging assembly configurationinformation items corresponding to the type identifier; and control theimaging assembly using the one or more imaging assembly configurationinformation items.
 2. The EIR terminal of claim 1, wherein the EIRterminal is configured to receive the type identifier responsive todetecting a power up event and/or an imaging assembly connection event.3. The EIR terminal of claim 1, comprising an i2c interface to carry thetype identifier from the imaging assembly to the system bus.
 4. The EIRterminal of claim 1, wherein the imaging assembly configuration itemscomprise: a power-up sequence of the image sensor; a format of dataoutputted by the image sensor; a number of pixels comprised by the imagesensor; an exposure mode of the image sensor; and/or configurations ofone or more control registers of the image sensor.
 5. The EIR terminalof claim 1, wherein the communication interface comprises a wiredcommunication interface and/or a wireless communication interface. 6.The EIR terminal of claim 1, wherein the EIR terminal is configured tostore the one or more imaging assembly configuration items in a memoryfile comprising one or more records, each record comprising an imagesensor type, at least one parameter identifier, and at least oneparameter value.
 7. A terminal, comprising: a memory; a pluggableimaging assembly (i) identified by a type identifier, (ii) configured toacquire an image comprising decodable indicia, and (iii) comprising animage sensor configured to output a signal representative of lightreflected from a field of view of the imaging assembly; and amicroprocessor communicatively coupled to the memory and the pluggableimaging assembly; wherein the terminal is configured to: output, byprocessing the signal, raw image data derived from the signal and/or adecoded message corresponding to a decodable indicia; responsive toreceiving the type identifier, retrieve from the memory one or moreimaging assembly configuration information items corresponding to thetype identifier and/or receive one or more imaging assemblyconfiguration information items corresponding to the type identifier;and control the imaging assembly using the one or more imaging assemblyconfiguration information items.
 8. The terminal of claim 7, wherein theimaging assembly comprises: an analog-to-digital (A/D) converterconfigured to convert the signal into a digital signal; an amplifierconfigured to output an amplified signal by amplifying a signal read outof the image sensor; and a control circuit configured to control theimaging assembly.
 9. The terminal of claim 7, wherein the terminal isconfigured to receive the type identifier responsive to detecting apower up event and/or an imaging assembly connection event.
 10. Theterminal of claim 7, comprising an i2c interface to carry the typeidentifier from the imaging assembly.
 11. The terminal of claim 7,wherein the imaging assembly configuration items comprise: a power-upsequence of the image sensor; a format of data outputted by the imagesensor; a number of pixels comprised by the image sensor; an exposuremode of the image sensor; and/or configurations of one or more controlregisters of the image sensor.
 12. The terminal of claim 7, wherein thememory comprises a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory.
 13. Theterminal of claim 7, comprising a wired communication interface and/or awireless communication interface.
 14. The terminal of claim 7, whereinthe terminal is configured to store the one or more imaging assemblyconfiguration items in a memory file comprising one or more records,each record comprising an image sensor type, at least one parameteridentifier, and at least one parameter value.
 15. A terminal,comprising: a pluggable imaging assembly (i) identified by a typeidentifier, (ii) configured to acquire an image comprising decodableindicia, and (iii) comprising an image sensor configured to output asignal representative of light reflected from a field of view of theimaging assembly; a memory comprising at least one imaging assemblyconfiguration information item corresponding to a type identifier; and amicroprocessor communicatively coupled to the memory and the pluggableimaging assembly; wherein the terminal is configured to: output, byprocessing the signal, raw image data derived from the signal and/or adecoded message corresponding to a decodable indicia; responsive toreceiving the type identifier identifying the pluggable imagingassembly, retrieve from the memory one or more imaging assemblyconfiguration information items corresponding to the type identifieridentifying the pluggable imaging assembly and/or receive one or moreimaging assembly configuration information items corresponding to thetype identifier identifying the pluggable imaging assembly; and controlthe imaging assembly using the one or more imaging assemblyconfiguration information items corresponding to the type identifieridentifying the pluggable imaging assembly.
 16. The terminal of claim15, wherein the terminal is configured to receive the type identifierresponsive to detecting a power up event and/or an imaging assemblyconnection event.
 17. The terminal of claim 15, comprising an i2cinterface to carry the type identifier from the imaging assembly. 18.The terminal of claim 15, wherein the imaging assembly configurationitems comprise: a power-up sequence of the image sensor; a format ofdata outputted by the image sensor; a number of pixels comprised by theimage sensor; an exposure mode of the image sensor; and/orconfigurations of one or more control registers of the image sensor. 19.The terminal of claim 15, comprising a wired communication interfaceand/or a wireless communication interface.
 20. The terminal of claim 15,wherein the terminal is configured to store the one or more imagingassembly configuration items in a memory file comprising one or morerecords, each record comprising an image sensor type, at least oneparameter identifier, and at least one parameter value.